By Robert “Lead Right” Elmore: Before the most recent comment from super middleweight champ Carl Froch about wanting to fight Andre Ward in Nottingham, Froch expressed not wanting to fight Ward. There are two reasons Froch didn’t want to rematch Ward.
One, he believes that Ward doesn’t anything financially to the table. Two, Ward’s fighting style gave him problems. Froch was not able to tee off on Ward. But while Froch is claiming that Ward can’t sell tickets, we really don’t know how big of a ticket seller Froch is outside of his hometown of Nottingham.
His fight against Ward didn’t sell because of him or Ward. The super six tournament is what sold the event. Froch has also declined a fight with WBA middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin (Trip Hammer) claiming that Trip’s name wasn’t big enough and he was too small in size to fight. Fellow super middleweight Andre Ward is basically in the same boat as Froch.
Ward won the super six tournament, but hasn’t done much since. He’s had two fights in the last three years, nagging injuries, and legal battles with his promoter. He finally signed with Roc Nation and is set to return to ring in his hometown of Oakland California. Ward skills are way above normal, but his fan base outside of California isn’t big. Ward has been calling out for a fight with Trip. I don’t take that call out very serious; at least not right now. The fight still needs time to build. Moreover, Ward needs to get a few rounds under his belt before facing The Tripster. HBO would be glad to front the cash for that fight. Trip has been staying busy and piling up KO’s and is also gaining a bigger audience in the process. He’s has called out the fellow title holders in the division to come forth particularly WBC champ Miguel Cotto. None have answered. The one thing Froch, Ward, and Golovkin have in common is Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
These men understand that Chavez’s name carries weight, could possibly produce a good fight, and bring a big pay day as well. But how can one criticize Trip Hammer without criticizing Froch or Ward for wanting to fight Chavez Jr.? The knock on Trip is the fact that he is willing to move up to super middleweight to fight Chavez, but not Ward. I have no problem with Trip vs Chavez. This could give Trip a good barometer on what he needs to adjust as far as stamina, speed, conditioning, etc. On fight night, Trip comes into the ring on average at 170 pounds. That’s still relatively small when compared to a solid super middleweight who might come into the ring much heavier. Carl Froch is simply looking cash out fights and has made it known he’s willing to fight Chavez in Vegas. Ward has also expressed wanting to fight the popular Mexican. The thing with Chavez Jr is that he undisciplined outside the ring. He frequently balloons up in weight in between fights and no one knows what weight class he will come to rest in. His next is against Andrezj Fonfara at light heavyweight (catch weight of 172 pounds) but has stated he will return to super middleweight afterward. And as far as that “he should move up in weight” phrase; watch this. Saul Alvarez should stay a middleweight and fight Trip; Trip should move up and fight Ward; Ward and Froch should move up and fight Sergey Kovavlev; Kovalev should move up and fight Marco Huck.
See how that works? There is always going to be that demand, but some have chosen to put that pressure squarely on Trip Hammer. Froch and Ward are the top two super middleweights and can easily move up and challenge themselves at light heavyweight in particularly Ward.
Froch nor Ward have to immediately challenge Kovalev. They can take on someone in the top ten to see what how their speed, stamina etc would fare. Ward, Trip, and Froch can all beat Chavez. Chavez is a good fighter, but more of a name at this point. Until Chavez proves that be can disciplined outside the ring, his training regimen, and his weight, he is just a name.
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